Texas Farm Bureau distributes $361,000 to wildfire victims

(WACO, Texas)–Thanks to hundreds of generous contributions, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) recently distributed $361,000 to the victims of the March wildfires in the Texas Panhandle.

“While the wildfires were still burning, Farm Bureau members, organizations and others from across the state called in asking how they could help,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “While this aid cannot replace everything that was lost, we hope it truly helps those affected rebuild their lives.”

Wildfires burned nearly half-a-million acres in the Panhandle in March, killing seven and causing millions of dollars in damage.

In response, more than 650 individuals and organizations, including 150 county and state Farm Bureaus, from across the nation sent in donations to the TFB Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund established through the organization’s nonprofit Agriculture Research and Education Foundation.

“We cannot say thank you enough for the generous contributions sent in to help our fellow Texans,” Boening said. “This money will not only help men, women and children. It will help communities rebuild and get back to business.”

A group of volunteer leaders selected by the TFB board of directors determined the allotment of aid. Dozens of Texans from the Panhandle, both TFB and non-TFB members, received funding for unreimbursed expenses related to the wildfires.

“Farming and ranching is an expensive business,” Boening said. “Without aid, these wildfires could force some to give up and find other work. We hope with this support, we can continue to have a strong, productive agricultural community in the Panhandle.”